A couple hundred people, including many from Berks County and the Lehigh Valley, turned out for a rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol to support efforts to end school property taxes and replace the revenue with higher taxes on sales and income.

Supporters of the effort Tuesday said rising property taxes make it difficult for people on fixed incomes to remain in their homes, even if their mortgage are paid off. They also said the system of assessment is ham-handed and outdated.

Previous such efforts died in the Legislature. The tax is a primary source of revenue for schools districts, over $11 billion in 2011-22.